|
Sadly, we have to postpone tonight's Queering Faith event due to illness.
We will let you know when it can be rescheduled.
| |
Dear Will,
We will have to wait to hear Father Robert and Deacon Louis, the gay clergy couple serving at Holy Family Old Catholic Church in Fairfield. We will let you know when we can reschedule them for January or February.
| |
Plan now to join us on Wednesday, December 11th, when there will be an Interfaith Queer Holiday Party at the Center to celebrate all of the winter festivals together. We will have altars for Thanksgiving, Chanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, Yule, Solstice and other winter festivals. Come for your friends, stay for the queer Christmas carols. Please bring a store bought side dish, dessert or drinks. Meats will be provided. For more info, contact Will McGarvey at will@solanopride.org or 707.200.7916.
| |
We are preparing a Needs Assessment Survey to send out to you, the members of our LGBTQIA2S+ community and allies, to hear from you what you feel are the biggest needs you have given our new post election political and legal reality. We will have it in next weeks' eBlast, so please make sure you and your friends are signed up for the eBlast. If they aren't, please send them this link to join: https://visitor.constantcontact.com/manage/optin/ea?v=001siJ61NP57GpIF9_nXBJk8BW7HqMrXrZxTjiC3w99q2C1xDQoUpMZ1VTn8e4JItYXiZONOZh6iD_bztgVGEDePUUqsl6GeaP9mZlMGvTvT-4%3D.
| |
You may have noticed some great, and informative posts on our Social Media as of late, including some songs such as this from Lady Gaga & Post Malone & this from Angry Gay Grandpa's Surving Trump, the ACLU's Trump Memo's, and waging non-violence's "10 ways to be prepared and grounded now that Trump has won". The ACLU shared a bit of their plan to protect human rights on Democracy Now here today.
| |
I signed on to the letter from 70+ LGBTQ+ Orgs in response to the election and threats against our community.
You can hear more about it here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7-L1yjhWVNM, and read it here: https://www.them.us/story/election-lgbtq-solidarity-letter-glaad-lambda-legal-transgender-law-center-pflag
| |
Our Cali Health & Human Services Network shared this "LGBTQ+ Elected Officials and Advocates Stand United to Defend and Safeguard LGBTQ+ Rights Following Trump's Reelection" which has some further links for exploration: https://californialgbtqhealth.org/lgbtq-elected-officials-and-advocates-stand-united-to-defend-and-safeguard-lgbtq-rights-following-trumps-reelection/
| Let's keep working to make the world a safe place for all, including all of our intersectional siblings in the BIPOC and working poor communities. | |
Will McGarvey
he/they
Executive Director
Solano Pride Center
will@solanopride.org
707.200.7916 text/voicemail Native Heritage Month 2-Spirit flag
|
|
|
Senior Programs!
Our next Senior Lunch will be Friday, November 15th in the Conference Room at the Center. There will be a short presentation from Board Member and Grant Writer at Meals on Wheels, Tyler Dorman, who will share about nutrition.
Next week is Friday, November 22nd, and the Zoom Senior Group will be meeting online. Contact marlette@solanopride.org to get the link to join the fun!
| |
Many thanks to these partners, without whom our Senior Groups would not be able to have the same support and experience! | |
|
This Saturday is the Transgender Day of Remembrance ceremony on Saturday, November 16th from 6-8 pm at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum, 734 Marin Street, Vallejo. We are cosponsoring and participating in the Solano Serenity Center's TDOR with all of our partners.
The current count that Auntie Jeriann Guzman keeps is 57 of our Beloved Trans Dead so far in 2024. These programs are very meaingful. Contact cristina@solanopride.org for more information.
| |
Upcoming Social & Support Groups! | |
|
Military/Veterans LGBTQ+ Support Group
(2nd Thursdays of the month from 7:00 to 8:30 pm). Next meeting is tomorrow night, Thursday, November 14th in the Conference Room. We hope this group becomes a great social and support group for all active duty military or retired veterans in the queer community.
Contact the facilitators by email by following these links: Will McGarvey, Jim Dailey & Ray McIntosh.
| |
|
The Gender Expansive Circle will meet again on Friday, November 15th at 5:30 pm, in the Conference Room.
GEC meets on the first and third Friday's of each month unless noted.
This group is for Trans, Intersex, Non-binary, Gender non-conforming and those questioning their gender identity or expression. The group will be led by Kacen Cosmos and Cristina Zaldana! Questions can be directed to Kacen Cosmos at kacen@solanopride.org.
| |
|
A new supportive gathering for those who experience Chronic Illness and Chronic Pain. See the new dates and times for the zoom and in person groups on the flyer!
Contact Ray for more info, and know that you are not alone. Ray can be contacted at ray@solanopride.org or by phone or text at 707.408.2458.
| |
|
Drop in Parent's group on Tuesdays continues Nov. 19th at 6 pm at the Center." Drop by our Lobby Door on the south side of the building and give a knock to join.
If we can find enough families to register with our Clinical Director, Colin Amato, at colin@solanopride.org, we may be able to start in mid November in the closest town to the participants. Colin and board member Stephan Clifford have created a beautiful 8-week program for the families and friends of those transitioning in the Conference Room, while Student Counselor Ray McIntosh and I will lead the conversation and activities for the youngsters in the lobby.
| |
|
2-SLGBTQ+ Men's Support Group (3rd Wednesdays continuing November 20th from 7:00 to 8:30 pm). This group is for all those who identify as male/masc, and is trans inclusive, led by Will McGarvey & Milton Heath Solórzano. Contact us by email for more info at will@solanopride.org or miltonheath@solanopride.org. Thanks to the Solano Community College Pride Club artist who made this for the group! We love your work!
| |
|
The HIV Positive Support Group will begin as a zoom group on the 3rd Thursdays of the month from 6:00 to 7:30 pm, beginning November 21st. contact cristina@solanopride.org for more information. Facilitated by Cristina Zaldana and Jim Jones.
Other groups are being prepared, including: Women's Support Group and a Bi/Pan/Omni Support group. Contact will@solanopride.org if you are interested in helping facilitate any of these groups.
| |
|
Grief Support Group will next meet in-person gathering on Friday, November 22nd from 10-11:30 am in the conference room at the Center's building. Rachel Wilson and Timothy Meyer will be the facilitators for the group that will meet in person on the 2nd and 4th Fridays, and will find another time in the early evening on another day of the week for zoom meetings. Rachel can be contacted at rachel@solanopride.org or by phone or text at 707.681.1887.
| |
|
Pan-Pagan/Magickal Support Group (4th Wednesdays from 7-8:30 pm continues Nov. 27th). For those with any form of neo-pagan, polytheistic, or non-abrahamic practice, to explore the intersections of queerness and pagan spirituality.
Led by members of SPC Staff. Bring something from your altar to share about, and a drum or percussion rattle if you have one (extras will be available).
| |
Ever wondered if the Center is open, or how to contact the staff member you need? | |
|
Solano Pride Center offers counseling and psychotherapy to the LGBTQ+ community of Solano County.
There are openings available for those who wish to be seen for counseling services right now! We are able to see clients for up to six months at no cost to clients, helping you make sense of life as a queer person, get support coming out, or deepening your self confidence by talking about your past. Please call our confidential line to make an appointment at: 707-389-4520. Please contact our Clinical Director Colin Amato at colin@solanopride.org for more information.
| |
Updated Youth Programming | |
Next Up for Youth & Young Adults in Fairfi & Rio Vista! | |
Teen Aged Youth Group meets on the 2nd Thursday of the month from 4-5 pm at the Center in Fairfield! | |  |
Rio Vista Teen Pride meet this month on Nov. 22nd (on the 4th Fridays) from 3:30-5:30 pm at Rio Vista Cares in Rio Vista! | | |
The Vacaville Group has yet to be named, so come and meet some East County teens and get to know each other! Meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month in the room at the north east corner of the Epiphany Church at 300 West Street. | |
Prism is for Youth and TAY ages 12-24 for social games and connections. Meets at our Center in Fairfield, and meets every month on the 3rd Fridays. You can knock on the south side exterior doors or come through the main doors to 1560. | |
Queerios is the group for Benicia and Vallejo teens aged 13-18 that meets at the Kyle Hyland Teen Center on the 4th Tuesdays of the month. We hope to find a space for Vallejo teens next year, but in the mean time, please join us in Benicia! | |
|
Calling all volunteers! If you want to be a volunteer at Solano Pride Center, please let us know!
Our next Volunteer Training is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 29th at 6 pm on Zoom. If you are interested in volunteering, just for special events or on a more regular basis at the Center, please email cristina@solanopride.org with the best times that work for you to be trained. These trainings are necessary for anyone who wishes to volunteer at the Center, in one of our Programs, or even for short term events like our Pride celebrations being planned now! Don't miss this informative background on how to help, knowing our best practices and Community Agreements!
| |
|
We rely on every donation to the Solano Pride Center to not only keep our doors open, but to serve you and those you love. Please consider how you can help support your LGBTQ+ Center today! Please mail checks to the address below, or send donations via PayPal at PayPal.me/SolanoPride.
Ever ask yourself, “I really want to help, but I don’t know what to do?”
Did you know that Solano Pride Center provides outreach and support. What fun things should we do this fall? These experiences are among the most important for many young people as they struggle with coming out, finding their voices, and becoming happy adults
A one-time donation of $100.00 or $200.00 will provide decorations, pizza, help us pay for the DJ, or other costs of our next big youth event. Donations can be made via Paypal, cash, or check.
Donate
Solano Pride Center is a 501 c (3) non-profit.
| |
|
Solano Pride Center Yum-Raising storefront!
Help Solano Pride Center turn candy into cash.
Sweet Link! Stock up for the Holidays!
| |
|
Every year BAQWA produces an anthology of members' writing as a benefit for a Bay Area Queer charity. This year proceeds from sales of TOGETHER, the 2024-25 benefit anthology, go to the Solano County Pride Center, which provides support for LGBTQ+ people in the county, offers free HIV testing, and creates Queer Pride events in cities across the county.
This Thursday, November 7, from 7 to 8pm 5 BAQWA members read from the anthology at Fabulosa Books in San Francisco's Castro District. Copies of the anthology will be on sale. Join Michael Alenyikov Richard May Rich Rubin Jan Steckel Sarah White at 489 Castro Street this Thursday. If you'd like to order the book online, the proceeds also help fund our important work here.
| |
|
HIV Prevention Awareness
1st Tuesday of the Month at the Solano Pride Center. The next Testing Tuesday, is December 3rd from 4-6 pm at 1234 Empire St in Fairfield
This FREE HIV TESTING is now being offered at our Center in the evening.
Please also welcome Christina Ogechi Ochiagha, our new Public Health Intern working with me this Semester. Her contact info is Christina@solanopride.org and can be texted or called at 707.408.3829. While working together, I'll go by Cristian Z, and she Christina O.
Thank you. Cristina Zaldana
| |
|
Black Embrace: A Podcast Supporting Black Families Navigating LGBTQIA+ Challenges
By Charlotte Richardson, DSW-C, LCSW and SPC Board Member
This podcast is dedicated to discussing the hard issues at the intersection of Black Family and LGBTQIA+ Youth. Historically the Black Community and LGBTQIA+ issues have been a point of disagreement and Black Family relationship breakdown. This podcast seeks to heal the wounds of family breakdown, create positive communication within Black Families with LGBTQIA+ Youth, and overall improve relationships and connection with Black Families and Community.
Our Clinical Director, Colin Amato, was one of Charlotte's first interviews! Don't miss it!
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/charlotte-richardson4
| |
Programs for all Teens in Dixon at the Library! | |
|
We will be having an event for kids in Grades K through 6. The Dixon High School Key Club will provide Free Homework Help for Kids every Monday from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm beginning September 30th and lasting through December 9th. For more info, contact Ricky Gjertsen (He/Him), Library Associate, Dixon Library, 230 N 1st Street, Dixon, CA 95620-3028
Direct: 707-784-1836 • Email: rdgjertsen@solanocounty.com
Below, on Tuesday, November 19th from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm, we will be having our Teen Indian Cuisine with SS Currey Express at the Dixon Library .
| | |
We want to thank the many businesses and individuals who donated to our Silent Auction at October 11th Poetry Slam and Talent Show! Please do share your business with these Gay Owned & Allied businesses, and give the individuals a hug of thanks for their generosity! | |
November 13-19th is
Transgender Awareness Week!
| |
GLAAD releases resources for Transgender resources for Trans Awareness Week, celebrated annually from Nov. 13-19th!
GLAAD: “Transgender Awareness Week arrives at a particularly profound time to celebrate transgender people’s lives, contributions to our culture, and address urgent challenges facing the community at large. In the wake of the election and a country reckoning with a return to an administration with a hostile record against LGBTQ people and especially transgender Americans, there is an imperative opportunity to center trans people in the conversation as people and as examples of freedom in the truest sense. This moment demands we all recognize the importance of trans people in our lives, as family, friends, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and fellow Americans who are as essential to a future that is more free, more just, and more equitable for all.”
https://glaad.org/releases/glaad-releases-resources-for-transgender-awareness-week-celebrated-annually-from-november-13-19/#:~:text=GLAAD%20RELEASES%20RESOURCES%20FOR%20TRANSGENDER,GLAAD
| | | | |
